Lifting jack



A. L... STANFORD July 31, 1923.

LIFTING JACK Filed Jan. 23, 1922' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. L. STANFORD LIFTING JAG-K Filed Jan. '23 1922 ZShweis-Sheet 2 Patented July 31, 1923.

grins ARTHUR L. STANFORD, or CH ICA GO', iLLIIvoIs,

LIFT-ING Jack.

Application filed Januar 23, i922. serial m. 531,057,

Total? whom it may concern: v i U Be it known that I, ARTHUR L. STANFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lifting Jacks, of which the following is a specification.

The jack of this invention is designed primarily though not exclusively. for use as a railroad jack; and the object of the invention is to simplify .the construction to the utmost by reducing the number of parts to a minimum, thereby economizing in the cost of manufacture, and also reducing the liability to breakage when subjected to the onerous conditions of heavy service.

A further object of the invention is toso design and arrange the parts that the length of the short arm of the lever, thatis to say, the distance from the fulcrum. point to the point of delivery of the power, may be minimized without sacrifice of strength, so that a high leverage ratio maybe employed, without,- however, imposing structural'limitations which necessarily restrict the leverage to a specified ratio.

A further object of the invention is to. so

design the parts that the same may be ass sembled and held together by the use ofa minimum number of connections, the several bearing members being so designed as to be locked in position by the, insertion of the fulcrum bar, so that not only is the use .of rivets', bolts or other means for connecting the parts together avoided in large measure, but the arrangement permits of the ready, assem bling and disassembling-of the constituent portions of the structure.

Another object of the invention to design the parts that the bearing members may be formed of tempered steelor the like,

1 and so related as toreduce the frictional wear to a minimum and atthe same time permit of-a ready substitution of the parts in case of wear or breakage.

The inventionalso relates to an a angement of parts which is designed to-increase the radiusof action of the mechanism with a view to avoiding interference with the rail or other structure being lifted. The ii -ve n tion also relates to the details of construc-. tion and formation of the lifting bar, which is. aegigii a with a vi -ariaamp iryiiia e structure and configuring the same insuch 1a manner as to affordabundance-ofstrength and rigidity without making the same. ex

v a a-vy r-ru ed e 1 nati nwea;Whoeii eisii conform, in its structure, to therequirements 1:;-

and limitations of foundry and rolling mill practice, so that thge same may be. readily andcheaply manufactured. i

In, the, drawingsg 1 -Figure 1 is a side elevationo-f jack inform to operate inthelifting of rails and ties in track construction or repair;

,Figw2 is a sectional plan view of the base of the standard Fig. dis a plan view section of 2;

the lower or locking clutchmember; v

E'ig his ,a sectionalgele'vation ,of the standard socket, lever head and associated P g; a .5 s. a; cr ss e ional amnion o levermhead,'-taken on line- 5 -5 of 'Eig., l, shelwing the hanger mainly in elevation; 3J1 1 ,lh' "I a. Fig. 6isagcross sectional elevationio'f-the lever head,; tfl-k6n;; QIl llI1e 6 ,6 of, Fig.- 4, showingthe fulcrum bar and bearingblo'ck in elevation, M .Thejack as awhole'comprises a standard 10, springing from a base plate ll and can rying at its upperendj a standard socket 12' through which extends -a lifting bar '13 adapted to be. actuated by an; active upper clutchinember 14;, and lheldwhen l-iftedby a] locking .lowenclutch; memberv 15.; The

standard soc-kethas mounted thereon a lever formation and construction of the various partsahove enumerated, and; to thearrange;

, m nor; the fulcrum andbeari'ng members whereby the same are actuated, and; the speawill now -,bedescribed.

vcific construction ofg the severalparts named The lever .h ad is for dtoprevide a? socket shank 12 I which mergesinto side ,walls- 20 which are connected QILLRQQ'AEQQJOYGD by top wall 21 which is transversely eloin- 1 1y open on the bottom and front.

gated, the head as a whole being of generally rectangular configuration in cross section.. The top wall of the head is continuous and imperforate, but the side walls, near the forward or acting end, are broken by aligned rectangular slots 22 which are vertically elongated and in conjunction provide for the entering therethrough of a fill? crum bar 23 which extends completely through the head and emerges on oneside" thereof between a pair of ears or lugs 24,

the fulcrum being loeked in'place by means" i of, a cotter pin 25 or the like, whichis entered through the ears or-lugs and through the projecting end of the fulcrum bar. The

upper edge of the fulcrum bar bears directly i stand heavy pressure.

head by reason of-the" close engagement of v posite serves to hold the fulcrum block firmly its under side with alongitudinally elongated slot or opening 28, to allow the necessary clearance during the up and down swinging movements of the lever head. This lower 'o'peningQS merges into an open ing 29 in the front wall 30 of the head, so that the construction-of the head as a whole presents the character of a boxlike structure inclosed on the top and sides and main- The fulcrum bearing block 26 is formed with a V-shaped grooveor channel 31 which extends completely across its upper or acting face, and'the body of the bearing block is of reduced cross dimensions to afforda pair of rounded trunnion shoulders 32 each of which bears against a 'conca'vely recessed wall 33 upstanding from the bottom of the lever head, thetwo walls occupying positions adjacent to the bottom slot 28 on opsi'des thereof. This arrangement against its bearing and allow it to rock thereon while'at the same time preventing any side t lting or canting movement of the the trunnion shoulderswith the fixed bearing block, whichare engaged on the under side by the concavely formed recesses in the bearing walls'33. Of course, it will be understood that the curvature of {these recesses is cOncentric, or substantially so, with. the axis of movement of the lever head about the fulcrum point,

- The inner walls 33 terminate at a point' substantially in line with the transverse center of the head, leaving on each side a socket space '34, which is subtended between the front edge of the proximate inner wall 33 and the front wall 30 of the head and floored;

by the bottom wall 35 of the head, which is uncut at points laterally adjacent to the center opening These spaces provide for the insertion on each side of a hanger bearing block 36 which is provided with a V- shaped groove in its upper edge 37, the two blocks being aligned and affording bearings for the support of the hanger 18, which is widened at its upper end to afford bearing shoulders 38 which are V-shaped to rock upon the bearing blocks, the body of the hanger depending within the space between v the bearing blocks.

The hanger 18, at its lower end, merges into an enlarged head 39 provided with a cross bore 40, the head being mounted between a pair ofvforwardly extending ears 41 on the upper active clutch member 14, to

which it is pivoted by a cross pin 42 which extends through the ears or lugs 41 and into 7 a boss 43 formed onrone of the ears or lugs,

being held in place by means of a cotter affords upper and lower parallel shoulders 50-51 which provide points of support for a forward friction block 52 located at a relatively high level, which friction block co-operates with a rear forward friction block 53 similarly socketed and occupying a relatively lower position. Between the two friction blocks extends the upper end of the lifting bar 13, which also extends through the lower and upper walls of the lever head 16, being capable of elevation to a point considerably above the latter during the lift ing operation of the jack. V

l The friction blocks 53 bear closely against the front and rear faces of the lifting bar andare adapted to grip thereon and effect a lifting thereof as the lever is operated; The frictionblocks are of slightly greater length than the widthof the opening 45' and may be slipped into place within'the" sockets 49 by entering one end in oblique relation "and then pressing back on the free 7 end, the configuration of the sockets permitting this kind of an operation. After the blocks are sooketed they will be held against displacement by contact with the lifting bar.

The lower or retaining clutch member 15 extBHdS through the socket and is similar 7 to rock the lifting bar.

in formation to the active clutch member 14, with the exception that the parts arealranged in reverse relation; that is to say,

the forward friction block 5% occupies a lower position with respect to the rear friction block 55, the blocks being socketed in recesses similar in formation to those previously described. The lower retaining clutch is provided with side walls .56, a front cross wall57, and a rear cross wall 58, which latter has extending therefrom a tail piece 59 which may be depressed to'hold the blocks out of clutching relation when it is desired The upper and lower clutch members extendjfrom front to rear through the socket fulcrum bearing block 26.' At a point adjacent to the shoulder-27, the side walls of the head are connected by'a front cross partition 64, through which is entered a rivet 65 whichholds the fulcrum bearing block securely in place. The sidewalls are further connected or reinforced by the pro vision 'of an upper bridge wall66 extending across the rear side, leaving a continuous unbroken space for the-up and down movements of the lifting bar. The ar-- rangement of the lower clutch member is such that with the lifting bar in-place the clutch member' will contact the lower or base wall 62 of the socketonly at the rear point thereof, so that, with the release of the upper orgactive clutch-membenthe locking clutch member will tend to' be down-' wardly tilted 0r canted at its forward, end,

thereby imposing 'a gripping action on the lifting barfwhich condition, will continue unless the forward end of the locking clutch member is lifted by depressingthe tail piece.

The lifting bar 13 is given'an I beam configuration; that is to say, it is formed with a relatively thin center web 67, and relatively widened front and rear faces 68 and 69 respectively. Atits lower endit terminates in a foot 70 provided with a center web 71, an upper bearing face '72, and a lower bracing face 73.

upper end a rectangular configuration, and

the boss is provided; with a cross bore 75,-. the arrangement being such as to permit of the-use ofacap head (not shown) where- I The upper end" of the lifting bar 13 is provided with aboss 74E across'the web, soasto presentat itsthe jack is" intended to'impart awdirect up- I ward thrust to a superposed weight.

The standard is formed with side walls 76 and a rear cross-wall 77, which rear wallis reinforced in the center by a rib 78, and

the side walls are reinforced alongatheir,

front edges" by lateral ribs 79, the-front of thestandard being'open'to allow movement of the foot.v The base plate-11, fromwhich the standard springs, is elongated from front to rear, its major dimension extending for:--

wardly of'the standard, and the baseplate is-suita-bly reinforced by longitudinal and the necessary strength and rigidity. 1

In use, a down movement of the lever 'will rock the lever head about its fulcrum point, thereby lifting the hanger and with it the forward end of the active clutch member,

which lifti'ngforce, being applied at a point in advance of the lifting bar, will cause'a canting tendency to the clutch member, thereby causing the friction blocks toengage the bar and lift the same] Immediately upon the release of the lever, the tendency for the bar to descend will cause a down tilting or canting movement of the locking clutch member, which Wlll cause the'friction blocks in said-member to grip and resist the clown-v ward movement. The reverse arrangementof the. friction blocks inithe two clutch -mem- 1 transverse ribs. or flanges 80 and 81 to afford bers accommodates the movementmentioned; 7

that is to say, a lifting movement" ofthe' lifting bar willtend to rock tl'ie'wlocking gripping blocks concurrently with'the grip-- member in a. manner to effect a release of the ping by the upper clutch member, andvice versa on the release of the lever.

The flattened formation of the fulcrum bar andthe hanger permit these two mem bers to be located in very closeproximity to one another, with a resultant reduction-in the length of theshort arm of the lever, so that any practical lever ratio which may be desired can be easily provided for by mere ly locating these members at points in the desired proximity to one another. This: easily enables the use of a siXty-to-one ratioor greater,- by providing a lever having a 7 long arm five feet. in length and a short arm one'inchin length, which is a higherlever ratio than can: be readily secured in the case of jacks-of the character commonly used. 'K The arrangement, furthermore, is one which permits the hanger and its'bearing' head to beintegrally constructed and the bearingpoint suitably hardened, which obviates the-necessity for using cross pins or other expedients which would tend either; to .weaken the resulting structure or object. tionablv increase its dimensions in proxim-' V ity tothe fulcrum point. At the same time the arrangement is one which permits the bearing blocks to be inserted in placewiths 0I1t'.bOltS ,i riYetS'0:I other-fastenings, and to be locked'against displacement when the constituent portions of the ack are assembled,

hardened, so that wearwill be reduced .to a

minimum, 'andfthis wearis further reduced by the employment of rocking contact memhers in lieu of' pivot pins'or the like which are commonly employed for similar purw-The I'beamconstruction of the lifting bar 'is' one which peculiarly adapts the bar to subserve its intended functions, in that v er end of the hanger inthe manner indicated,

the web affords abundant reinforcement against any tendency to bend or buckle in a fore and aftdirection, and at the same time the front and rear faces, being much wider than the web, afford the necessary frictional surfaces for; engagement with the friction blocks. Furthermore, by mounting the lowthe degree of clearance above a rail or like obstruction is increased to a desirable degree,

' thereby increasing the radius of action of the parts correspondingly; The entire structure has been designed with-due-regard to the requirements of foundry practice, so that the'structure may be easily manufactured and readily assembled.

,Iclaim: y

'1. In a lifting jack, ,ther'combination of a socket member, a lifting bar slidable within the socket member, clutch members for engaging the lifting bar, a lever headembracing thelifting bar, a hanger connecting the lever headwith one of the clutch me'mbers, a fulcrum bar extending trans- 1 versely throughthe center, of the lever head,

and a fulcrum bearing block supported on.

the socket member and presenting the cen trally disposed portion of its upper edge for.

contact with the lower edge of the fulcrum bar and having an undercut shoulder. on

each side, the lever head having on each side amember adapted to rock beneath the proximat' e shoulder of the fulcrum bearing block substantially.as described.

"2. In a liftingjack, the combination of at socket member,'a lifting bar slidable With- V in the socketmember; clutchmembers for i and a fulcrum bearing'block supported on the socket member and presentingfthecen trally disposed'portion of its upper edge for contact with the lower edge of the-fulcrum bar and having on each side an :underc'utportion formin a shoulder having a curved under bearing face, and the'lever head hav ingbeneath'each of'said shoulders across Wall provided with a concave recess afiord ing a rocking surface in engagement with the proximate shoulder, substantially as de scribed.

3. In a lifting jack, the combination'of' a socket member, alifting bar slidable within the socket member, clutch members for engaging the lifting bar, a lever head embracing the lifting bar, a hanger connecting the lever head with one of theclutch' members, a fulcrum bar within the lever head, anda fulcrum bearing block present ing its central portion for co-operation with the fulcrum bar and su ported on the socket member and having a shoulder on each side, the lever head having on each side a'member adapted to rock beneath the proximate shoulder of the fulcrum bearing block, and the head being provided with side walls which serve to enclose said bearing block, substantially as described;

4. In a lifting jack, the combination of a socket member, a lifting bar 'slidable within the socket member, clutch members for,

engaging the lifting bar, a leverjhead embracing thelifting bar, ahanger connecting the lever head with one of the clutch members, a fulcrum bar within the lever head, and a fulcrum bearing block presenting its central portion forco-operation with the fulcrum bar and 'supported on the socket member and having on each side an :undercut portion forming a shoulder having curved bearing face, and the'lever head having beneath each of said shoulders a cross wall provided with a concave recessl affording a rocking surface in engagement with the proximate shoulder, and the head; being provided with side walls-which serve to enclose said'bearing block and recessed inner cross walls, substantially as described.

5. Ina lifting jack, thecombination of a socket member, a lifting barslid'ablc within the socket member, a pair of clutch memher, the side walls of the lever ohead embrac-L ing and enclosing the upper end of the socket member and'the'bearing block' carried thereby, substantially as described;

6. In a'lifting jack, the combination of a,

socket member, a lifting bar slidable within the socket member, apai r of clutch mem bers associated with thehft ng bar, a lever head "embracing the lifting bar,- hanger connecting one of the clutchmembers With the [lever head; 1 a fulcrum bar entered through the lever head, and a fulcrum bearing block fixediy secured to the socket member, the side Walls ofthelever head embracing and enclosing the upper end of the socket member and thebearing block carried thereby, the fulcrum bar being Wedge shaped along its lower-edge, and the bearing blockbeing grooved along its upper edge, su'bstantiallvas described.

7. In a lifting jack, the combination of a socket member, a f bearing block carried by thesocket-meinber, a leverhead, a fulcrum bar extending transversely otthe lever head and fulcruined upon the bearing block, the li'iilcrum bar being of flattened formation i and having "its vertical dimension in excess of its front to'r'ear dimension," a pair of spaced hanger bearing blocks carr ed by the lever head, thehanger being provided at its ,upper endvvith laterally extending shoulders engaging the spaced bearing blocks, the body of the'ha'ng'er depending'between said bearblock's, and the vertical dimension of the upper shouldered portion of the hanger be ing in excess of its front to rear "(llIIflBDSlOIL- to conformithe parts to a close relationship With the fulcrum'bar, a lifting bar entered through the socket member, and clutch mem;-

bers associated Withthe lift'mgbml-one or 'such clutch members being pivotally conne eted to'th'e hanger, substantially as (16.. I V I H H I r V 1 1 block. similarly fia'ttened and'carried by"the 1 .v V 8. In a lifting j aok','the combination of a 7 socket member, a bearing block carried by the socket member, a lever head, a fulcrum bar extending transversely of the lever head and fulcrunied upon the bearing block, the fulcrum, bar' being of flattened formation and having its vertical dimension'in; excess of its front to rear dimension, a pair of spaced hanger bearing blocks carried by'the lever head, the hanger; being provided at lts upper end with laterally extending should= ers engaging the spaced bBflIlI lg blocks, the

body of the hanger depending between said bearing blocks, and the vertical dimension of the upper shouldered portion of the hanger being in excess or its front to rear dimension to conform the parts'to a close relationship'with the fulcrum bar, a lifting bar entered through the socket member, and clutch members associated with the lifting bar, the upper clutch member beingprovided on its forward side with spaced ears e nbracing the lower end ofthe hanger, and a v pivotpinentered through said ears and through the hanger, substantially as describe 9. In; a lifting" jack, the combination of a socket member, a*bearingblockcarried by the socket membenja levfer head, a fulcrum barextending transversely of the leverwhead bers' associated with the" afi'f m 1 i er aa ebt the i iu ier being "o 'flett tll dff i ietidnrand having its vertical dimension excess or its frontrto rear dimnsion, a pair of spaced hanger bearing blocks"arr iedby the lever'head, a hanger provided "at end with laterally extendingfshoulders en; gaging the spaced bearing blocks',*thebedy 'oifthe hanger depending between "aidjbear ingbloc'kgand the vertical dimension of the.

hpperl shouldered portion of the hanger mg I in; excess of "its front to reai'jdiuiensioii' to conform the ater a; close elatiehjshifi Withthe fulcrum bar, a liftingbar'ehteifed r generally rectangular fulcriiin bar entered through the lever head and provided vvi th a wedge shaped slower edge, thefvertical dimension of the fulcrum bar being in exsaid boss and into thelpi n, substahtiallyes cess offthe'front 'tb rear dimension, 'a'be'aring socket member and rovided along its upper edge with a groove to receive .theedge'of the fulcrum bar, said block being undercut-to provide lateral shoulders having rounded under faces, and'thedever, head being provided With inner upstanding eross 'Wal'ls arciiately recessed on their'up'per edgesrw rid'e undentherounded shoulders, a pair of spaced bearing blocks carried byt'h'e' lev'er. head'andhoused Within the spaces intermediate the from edges" of met-respective inner cross W-al1 s,.'the front Wall of the" lever head and the side Walls there'oflia hanger its undercut near map er endto afiord lateral p h orue mbeing socket" head, a lever headiassociated there- With, a flitting -b'ar entered throughllthe socket head and through theflever heaaa flattened generally rectangular enteredthrou'gh the lever head and provided with a .wedge, shaped lower edge, the vertical dimension lofthe fulcrum bar being in excess of the front to rear dimension, abear- Walls arcuately recessed n th i upperigdggs to ride under the rounded Shoulders, a pair of spaced bearing blocks carriedby'f the lever 7 head and housed within the spaces interme' "tially as 7 described.

rear friction blocks, a

diate the. front edges of the respective inner cross walls, the front wall' of the lever head and the side walls thereof, a hanger undercut near its upper end to afford lateral wedge shaped shoulders engaging" the bearing blocks, said shouldered portion being flattened to reduce its front to rear dimension as compared with its vertical dimension and to conform the partsto a close spacing of the hanger with respectto the fulcrum bar,

and'a pair of clutch members embracing the lifting bar, the upper clutch'member being bifurcated atits forward end to receive the lower end'ofthe hanger, and a pivot pin entered through scribed. I o p i it '12. In a lifting jack, the combination with, a standard: carrying a socket member, of a lifting bar, a fulcrumed lever head and a. hanger depending from the-leverhead,a

pair of clutch membersembracing the lifting bar, each of said clutch members being provided in its sidewalls with front and rear tapered recesses affording shoulders and friction blocks entered into front and rear p 7' saidrecesses and supported by said shoulders and adaptedto engagethe" front and rearedges of the lifting bar, substantially as described. I

13; In a lifting jack, the combination with a lifting bar, of a clutch member and means for operating the clutch member, sai'dclutch member being provided with a center opening for the passage of the liftin gflbar, said opening affording side walls and front and rear cross walls, each side wall at points adjacent respectively to the front and rear cross walls being provided witha tapered recess affording shoulders, and front and rear friction blocks enteredwithinsaid'recesses and supported'bysaid shoulders and adapted to engage thelifting bar,substan 14. In a lifting aclr, V a clutch member provided with front and I lifting bar entered through said clutchrmember and adapted to be engaged at the front and rear by said friction blocks, the lifting'bar being of I formation to afford a pair of relatively wide a clutch member provi said bifurcated; portion and through the "hanger, substantially as I de-s in combination with connectingweb to affordthe necessary front to rear rigidity, substantially as described.

15. Ina lifting jack, in combination with ded-with front and rear friction blocks, a lifting bar entered through said clutch member and adapted to be engaged at the front and rear by said friction blocks, formation to afford a pair of relatively wide front and rear contact faces for engagement by the friction blocks, and a relatively thin connecting web toiaiford the necessary front to rear rigidity, said lifting bar.- terminating at its lower end ina foot having a widened upper contact maths same being anangular extension of the forward regattas lifting bar, said foot comprising a weband a lower laterally flanged portion, the same being extensions ofithe web and rear face portion respectively ofthe body" of the lift ing' bar, substantially asdescribed. i

16. In a lifting Jack, in combination with a lifting bar and means for impartingvertical movement thereto, of "afleveri ands connection between the lever and said actuating fmeans ford the lifting bar, co-acting the liftingbar beinglof I p members providing a fulcrum bearing for the lever, and co acting membersaffording apivotal mounting for 'theconnection with the. actuating means, said fulcrum members and said. mountingmembers being of flat tened formationand' having their'vertic'al dimensions in excess of their'front to rear ,7

dimensions to provide for a close front to rear spacing thereof,substantially;as :de-

scribed.

r 17. in a lifting jack, the teammate-eia standard provided witha standard socket,

a fulcrum block supporte 'up the nd ard socket and having its outerface and upper edge'unobstructed thereby," a lever pro, vided with a fulcrum bar resting upon the upperledge of the-fulcrum bearing block,

to rear relation [to the unobstructed 'face of the fulcrum bearingblock andactuated by the lever, substantially as described.

18. In a lifting jack, the combination of a in closely spaced front to rear relationwith the unobstructed face'of the fulcrumbeaiing block and flattened at its upper end and provided with supporting shoulders, flattened,

bearing blocks supported within the le'Ver and engaging such shoulders, and lifting means actuated by" the movements of'said. hanger, substantially as described.

119. In a lifting ack, combinationof and lifting members in closely spaced front I a standard provided with a standard socket, through the lever head and resting upon a fulcrum block centrally supported upon the upperedge of the fulcrum block, and the front face of the standard socket andlifting members associated With the lever 1 having its outer face and upper edge unhead in closely spaced front to rear relation I o 5 obstructed thereby, a lever head embracing to the unobstructed face of the -fulcrum the standard socket and the fulcrum block, bearing; block, substantially as described. a single fulcrum bar extending transversely ARTHUR L. STANFORD. 

